Nursing How To’s: Pressure Ulcer Care

It’s free cut and instead of hanging out at the cafeteria with some of her classmates, Josie chose to go to the library and do advanced reading since they will be having a graded recitation tomorrow and she’s pressured to have high scores. She’s scanning through her books when she comes about gruesome pictures of late staged pressure sores. More intrigued than disgusted, she opens the book to the page and reads on all while wondering what role nurses should play when dealing with these cases and how they will be able to help patients prevent developing such.

Manage exudates/moisture: Apply a wound dressing to create a moist wound environment, which assists in autolytic debridement of wounds covered with necrotic tissues

None-to-light exudates: Apply a thin wound dressing or gel

Moderate-to-heavy exudates: Adhesive or non-adhesive wound dressing secured in place; selection of dressing influenced by size and location of the pressure ulcer; a rope or sheet wound dressing may be needed in specific situations or to pack the wound; change every 1–3 days and prn, cover.

Currently an Intensive Care Unit nurse, pursuing a degree in Master of Arts in Nursing Major in Nursing Service Administration. Has been a contributor of Student Nurses Quarterly, Vox Populi, The Hillside Echo and the Voice of Nightingale publications. Other experience include: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Obstetric, Emergency and Recovery Room Nursing.